A LETTER TO A LADY,

By the Rev. John Ewart.

March 5, 1790.

DEAR MADAM,

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You complain of depression of spirits since your late illness; and you are yet, you say, very poorly, and almost weary of adversity and great disappointments in life." This despondency of mind will only increase the weakness of your body. It is impossible you can be serious, it is only some hasty thought, when. you allowed yourself to say, or to think, for one moment, that death was better than this life of trouble and sorrow. Surely you did not mean to say that you have forgotten the good education you received, by which the pious Christian has more good sense and firm faith in his heart to support his mind under affliction, than any philosophers ever possessed. You read, or have read the works of Voltaire, I know; but in the hour of sadness and bitter disappointment, be assured you will find the Bible is the grand cordial of the mind, by which we learn that this life is only a state of trial to prepare you and every body for a better world. I do think your present low spirits are from your late bad health, and want of active employment.

Exert yourself to go into your garden daily,

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A LETTER BY THE REV. JOHN EWART.

and forget your late great affliction. Your son will be able to write you better accounts of himself, I hope you must keep your mind calm, and your time employed, not shut up in your room and denied to your friends, but rise from your bed, go into the open air, or walk in your drawing room; also every morning and evening read the New Testament, and a portion of Scripture before your morning and evening prayer. Brief and very excellent is the Lord's Prayer, particularly for those who have not time for long prayers. It is the heart which is the essential part of prayer. It is a deep innate confidence in God, that he is ever present, and sees and knows all the thoughts and feelings, good or bad, which rise in the heart. Cultivate just and cheerful ideas of your Father who is in heaven. We shall know him better after death. He will also teach you and me to subdue the fear of death: he will not leave your spirit in the grave. The Spirit of God, (or the Holy Ghost, which means the same thing) which is ever with the sick patient at the hour of death, and also with you every hour of your life, will support you here and for ever. But you must exert yourself, you must find some innocent amusement after daily reading the chapter of the New Testament. Keep your temper tranquil, not anticipating evil, but waiting for the good Providence of God.

I am your very faithful friend,

JOHN EWART.

EXTRACT FROM DR. BEATTIE'S MINSTREL.

How dread a picture meditation brings

Of life's unceasing wretchedness below,
Where the long chain and ordinance of things,
Exhibits so much misery and woe.

Yet rest, my soul, submissively, O rest!
Nor think that virtue has been treated hard;
This world was made to prove it, in thy breast,
Celestial happiness thy great reward.

The first Great Cause, all gracious! has design'd
Supreme enjoyment in a world of bliss,

To crown a moral rectitude of mind,

And bless obedient righteousness in this.

Whatever ills, in this uncertain state,

Lamenting man may frequently have known,
Spring from no wish, or negligence of fate,
But some unhappy error of his own.

Then all resign'd, O let him search his heart,
And kiss the sharp, but salutary rod;
Nor, (though condemn'd in bitterness to smart,)
Presume to throw the blame upon his God!

But, sure to foreign climes we need not roam,
For misery there exceeds that found at home;
Yet at the darken'd eye, the wither'd face,
Or hoary hair, I never will repine.
But spare, O time, whate'er of mental grace,

Of candour, love, or sympathy divine,

Whate'er of kindness, truth, or friendship's flame is mine.

ON TEMPER.

BY HAYLEY.

Virtue's an ingot of Peruvian gold;
Sense, the bright ore, Potosi's mines unfold;
But temper's image must their use create,
And stamp their precious metal sterling weight.

ON KINDNESS.

BY MRS. HANNAH MORE.

Since trifles make the sum of human things,
And half our misery from foibles springs,
The heart's best joys consist in peace and
And few can save, or serve, but all may please;
O let us all be wise and learn from hence,

ease,

A small unkindness is a great offence.
Large bounty to bestow we wish in vain,
But all may shun the fault of giving pain.
To bless mankind with tides of flowing wealth,
With power and honour, happiness and health,
Our little lot denies; but heaven decrees
To all the gift of ministering to ease.

The gentle offices of patient love

Beyond all flattery, and all praise above;

The mild forbearance of another's fault,
The angry word suppress'd as soon as thought;
The kind ideas form'd by candid truth,
In age delightful, ever dear in youth;
On these heaven bade the joy of life depend,
And cur'd ill fortune when we found a friend.

ON CHEERFULNESS.

Come, cheerfulness, celestial fair,

Shine through this dismal cloud of care;
O! sweet in language, mild in mien,
O! virtue's friend, and pleasure's queen,
Fair guardian of domestic life,

Kind banisher of home-bred strife,
Be to our faults a little blind,

And to our virtues ever kind.

No sullen lip nor taunting eye
Deforms the scene, if thou art nigh.

ON THE DEATH OF THE DUKE OF HAMILTON.

His Grace Douglas Hamilton, Duke of Hamilton, was the son of James, Duke of Hamilton, who died in January, 1758. He married the beautiful Miss Gunning, who was the Duchess of Argyle, and Lady of the Bedchamber to the Queen in 1761. Her sister was the beautiful Countess of Coventry. Both these sisters were the daughters of John Gunning, Esq. by Bridget, the daughter of the Lord Viscount Mayo, of the kingdom of Ireland. Douglas, Duke of Hamilton, was born April 24, 1756. He had all the beauty of his mother, with every manly and graceful accomplishment. He was considered an excellent scholar, and had gained great honours at College. He travelled for some years on the continent with Dr. Moore, who wrote an excellent book of Travels in France, Italy, ' and Germany. The Duke came home to England with Dr. Moore. His Grace married the very